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Innovative Sulfate
Removal from Groundwater Associated with
Sulfide Mineralization
10/13/08
inconstancy found change is noted below -
pH
is not acidic rather pH averages 7.9
11/20/08
Sponsor has opted to provide more specific
water sample data, link below
Research, prioritize, develop and
demonstrate an innovative and cost effective technology that employs or
replaces conventional water treatment methods for the removal of sulfate
from groundwater and/or surface water primarily derived from sulfide
mineralization.
Mineral recovery from
ore deposits associated with sulfide mineralization can result in metal,
sulfate and total dissolved solids (TDS) loading to groundwater and/or
surface water. One of the challenges in site management and closure of
a sulfide mineralized ore deposit is the treatment of metals followed by
the treatment for sulfate removal to meet surface or groundwater
standards. Sulfate removal is more challenging when found in a sodium
(Na) environment versus a calcium (Ca) environment, both of which can be
associated with sulfide mineralization.
Following completion
of the research and prioritization phase of the task, develop and
demonstrate as cost effective process that addresses the removal of
sulfate to meet federal or state surface water standards and state
groundwater standards. Not all states have primacy over the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Water Act. In
addition, most all states regulate groundwater within their state
boundaries. Assume that the treatment of sulfate and metals must meet
the State of New Mexico standards.
The approach and technology chosen should:
·
be able to
treat metals and reduce sulfate from the
source of affected water sufficiently to
meet applicable regulatory standards;
· understand
the requirements for any by-product waste
disposal and determine the optimum method;
· be
efficient and cost effective;
· establish
the long-term operating and maintenance
costs for the recommended technology;
· meet
all state and/or federal regulatory
standards; and
· be
adaptable to different sized influent
streams that could range from several
hundreds of gallons to several thousands of
gallons.
Each
team is advised to read the Participation Guide for a comprehensive
understanding or the contest evaluation criteria. Upon your
registration, WERC will provide you with a copy of the Public
Involvement Plan and Participation Guide. Additionally, your proposed
design will be evaluated on issues identified in the problem statement
as well as the others listed below:
·
Understanding
of present water treatment practices;
·
Practicality
of proposed method;
·
Magnitude of
potential cost reduction compared with
current treatment practices;
·
Long-term
performance of system and operations and
maintenance requirements;
·
Justification
for cost reduction predictions;
·
System
reliability;
·
Novelty of
proposed methods – dilution by use of clean
water is not an acceptable method;
·
Originality
of bench-scale demonstration;
and
·
Potential
uses of treated water and optimum method for
management of potential waste generated.
During the contest, WERC will provide up to
5 gallons (should you need more for your
process to operate during the bench scale
test you must be communicate with WERC at
least three weeks before the contest at New
Mexico State University) of a sample
consistent with typical sulfide mineralized
solution from a sulfide ore body containing
various amounts of metals, TDS and sulfate
with a pH
averaging 7.9. Variability in samples
received at different times in the process
should be anticipated.
A water sample
from the site yielded the following results:
Additional information
provided by sponsor on 11/20/08:
Spreadsheet
The written report is
the best means to demonstrate your team’s insight into the problem. The
report should discuss other technologies considered but not pursued and
why and to give the reader full understanding of the magnitude of your
team’s involvement with the problem details. The report will be
evaluated for clarity, logic and coherence. Standards appropriate for
the publication in technical journals apply.
In addition to the
listed requirements, the following must be discussed in your report to
WERC management:
·
Describe
research approach, process steps, evaluation
criteria and screening protocol in detail;
·
Present
cost/benefit analysis, NPV results,
operations and maintenance costs for
long-term treatment requirements;
·
Provide
schematics of process flow diagram, pictures
or other presentation material to clearly
explain your process;
·
Address any
safety issues or concerns with your process
and how they will be managed;
·
Discuss the
timeline for system revaluation for pilot
scale verification of your process to
confirm its ability to be placed into full
scale production and challenges that
need to be verified and the pilot scale
stage; and
·
Address
regulatory requirements and waste generation
management if applicable.
Contact:
Barbara Valdez, Program
Facilitator
(575) 646-7821
(800) 523-5996
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